Packaging machinery



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H.L.EVANS PACKAGING MACHINERY Filed NOV. 29, 1939 12. Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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PACKAGING MCEIINERY Filed Nov. 29, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT OR.

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0st, 20, 1942. H. L. EVANS 2,299,474

PACKAGING MACHINERY Filed Nov. 29, 1939 12 sheets-sheet lo TOP CLOSING AND SEALINQ MECHANISM INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY,

BY /faffyl Patented ct. 20, 1942 PACKAGING MACHINERY Harry L. Evans, Newport, R. I., assignor to United States Automatic Box Machinery Co., Inc., Roslindale, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 29, 1939, serial No. 306,600

(ci. sia- 3) 22 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging machinery; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to package making, filling and closing machinery adapted to function by a continuous motion mode of operation and consequently at high speed.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel construction of continuous motion, high speed mechanism whereby blanks are automatically supplied and formed into cartons ready for filling; and whereby, when desired, provision is made for also supplying carton lining material to and preforming the same upon a traveling former block preparatory to the formation of a carton blank about the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide in package forming machinery a plurality of conveyers for propelling a series of successively spaced traveling former blocks, said conveyers being arranged end to end, and means being provided for automatically transferring the former blocks from one conveyer to another, whereby the spaced relation of said former blocks is automatically changed at desired points in the travel thereof, so as to efficiently accommodate the movement thereof relative to the operation of means for feeding and manipulating the package forming material, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, so as to provide, through a minimum distance of linear travel, a maximum period of contact of the formed cartons with means for drying and setting the glued seams with which they are provided, and for sealing the liner seams and setting the liners in attached relation to the carton interiors, when said cartons are provided with liners.

Another object 0f the invention is to provide in packaging machinery novel mechanism comprising, in combination, a train of continuously traveling spaced former blocks; means cooperative with said former blocks for rst supplying wax paper lining material across the path of former block travel, together with means for folding said wax paper about the moving former blocks so as to provide thereon preformed liners; means for then supplying carton blanks across the path of former block travel, together with means for folding said blanks over the preformed liners and about the moving former blocks, including means to provide cartons thus produced with glued seams; and novel means for subjecting the thus produced cartons to pressure and heat sufficient to penetrate the carton walls and fuse the wax of the liner paper so as to seal the liner seams or,jolnts, while at the same time drying and setting the glued seams of the carton formations; and alsr, if desired, additionally including means to subsequently transfer heat from the produced cartons and from the former blocks by which they are carried with accompanying chilling and setting of the fused wax of the liner paper.

Another object of the invention is to provide for cooperation with the traveling former blocks and formed cartons carried thereby a novel means for stripping the latter from the former.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for transporting the cartons removed from the former blocks and` delivering the same to means whereby they are charged with the content desired to be enclosed therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel means for supplying articles to be enclosed in the cartons and thereupon manipulating the cartons and articles so as to enter the latter into the former.-

Additional objects of the invention are to provide means for closing and sealing the filled cartons to complete the package subject to discharge from the machine; and to provide novel means for discharging the completed packages from the machine.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the packaging machine according to this invention.

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C, taken together show a longitudinal. vertical sectional view through the packaging machine according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the machine, taken on line 2 2 in Fig. 1B; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1B; Fig. 4 is another fragmentary vertical cross section, taken online 4--4 in Fig, 1B; and Fig. 5 is still another fragmentary vertical cross section, taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 1B.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view in part section of the means for stripping or removing formed cartons from the former blocks upon which the same are made up; and Fig. 7 is a detail vertical cross section, taken on line 1-1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the means for applying sealing pressureand heat to the carton formations carried by the traveling former blocks; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 9--9 in Fig. 8, this view also showing the underlying cooler means; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on line Ill-I in Fig. 9, the same showing the cooler means in plan.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of an end lportion of the machine showing the means for supplying and entering articles into the formed cartons, and including a plan view of the means for finally closing the cartons after reception of said articles therein. Fig. 11A is a fragmentary front elevation of the means for nally closing the filled cartons; and Fig. 11B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on line IIB`I IB in Fig. 11A.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the means for discharging the filled and closed cartons from the machine; and Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of said means.

Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive respectively illustrate successive stages of the `operation of forming a carton liner upon and about the traveling former blocks. l

Figs. 18l to 20 inclusive respectively illustrate successive stages of the operation of forming a carton over the preformed liner and upon and about the traveling former blocks. l

Figs. 21 to 26 inclusive respectively illustrate successive stages of the operation of closing and sealing the filled lined cartons.v

Fig. 27 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a modified arrangement and sequence of the means for folding the carton blank about the traveling former blocks and sealing the seams of the liner within the carton formation.

Fig. 28 is a schematic view of a modified arrangement of mechanism for transferring cartons removed from the former blocks in upright position subject to filling by gravity and closing.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the 'above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

'I'he various cooperating mechanisms making up the novel packaging machine according to this invention are supported from a suitable frame work I including longitudinally spaced transversely disposed and opposed upstanding frame standards 2. Journaled in and through certain of said standards 2 is'a longitudinal drive shaft 3. This drive shaft is driven from a suitable source of power, such, e. g., as an electric motor 4, by suitably arranged transmission means including a control clutch means 6.

The traveling former block mechanism The machine is provided with a train of continuously traveling former blocks for supporting and carrying the package making material subject to the operations of manipulating the same to form the desired containers or cartons ready for use. To determine the path of travel of said former blocks, whereby the same move in a circuit disposed in longitudinal vertical plane comprising, an upper level course, along which they move longitudinally forward, and a lower level return course, along which the same move longitudinally rearward, transversely opposed and spaced track circuit bars are aiixed to and supported by bracket arms 2 with which said frame standards 2 are provided. Said track circuit bars comprise upper course portions 1 and lower course portions 8 connected at their respective corresponding ends by semi-circular connecting sections 9. Formed in the inwardly facing sides of said track circuit bars are channeled trackways I0.

Arranged to move along and between said track circuit bars are the former block carriages II; the same having traction rollers I2 to ride in the channeled trackways I0 of said track circuit bars. Each carriage II is provided with an upstanding bracket I3 to--Which the rearward end portion of a former block I4 is affixed, whereby said former block is carried in freely projected forwardly extending disposition, and in outwardly spaced relation to the carriage.

Means 'are provided for propelling the carriages II, and the former blocks I4 carried thereby, around the circuit of said track bars, whereby the former blocks are moved in suitably spaced successive order. This propelling means comprises primary and secondary endless conve'yers arranged end to end between said track circuit bars, and arranged intermediate the adjoining ends of said conveyers, for cooperation therewith, is a transfer mechanism for shifting the carriages II from one conveyer to the other at desired points in the course of their travel around said track circuit. The primary conveyer cooperates with the carriages I I in such manner as to move the same in successive order but relatively spaced apart at a maximum distance of separation so as to accommodate the former blocks I4 to the locations of the mechanisms for feeding and applying the package forming material thereto, as well as to time the movements of said former blocks in proper relation to the operations of said mechanisms. On the other hand, the secondary conveyer cooperates with said carriages II in such manner as to move the same in successive order but relatively spaced apart at a minimum distance of separation so as to provide a maximum time of contact of package material, as formed on and carried by the former blocks I4, with the heaters and coolers or other devices employed to close and seal the package seams, to the end that such operations may be efficiently performed without necessity for unduly lengthening the track circuit and consequently the machine as a whole, in other words, so that a compact machine requiring but a minimum of floor space for installation is attained. The transfer mechanism for shifting the carriages II from one conveyer to the other is of such novel character and c0- operative effect that the carriage movement is speeded up and retarded as required to attain the change in spaced relation when disengaging one conveyer and engaging the other.

The primary conveyer comprises a pair of laterally spaced endless conveyer chains I5 supported at their forward ends to run over vertically spaced sprockets I 6-I6', and at their rearward ends to run over idler sprockets Il which are concentric to the rearward semi-circular sections 9 of the track circuit bars. Said idler sprockets I 'I are mounted on a carrying shaft I 8 which is journaled in and between bearing brackets I9 adjustably supported in connection with the track circuit bars so as to permit regulation of the running tension of said conveyer chains. Saidl sprockets IB-IB are respectively mounted on carrying shafts 2li-20' which are journaled in and between bearing brackets 2| fixedly supported by the track circuit bars. 'Ihe means for driving said primary conveyer chains I5 comprises a transverse transmission shaft 22, also journaled in and betwen said bearing bracket 2|, which is driven from said drive shaft 3 by intermeshing bevel gearing 23-23 (see Fig. 2) Fixed on said transmission shaft 22 is a drive pinion 24 which meshes with a like pinion 25 fixed on said shaft 20, whereby the latter shaft is driven to in turn drive the sprockets I6, which thus serve as drive sprockets for actuating said conveyer chains I5. Said conveyer chains I are provided, at suitably spaced intervals along the length thereof, with laterally offset coupling socket links 26. Atllxed to each carriage Il, to project from its under or inward side, are coupling teeth elements 21 which are adapted to mesh with said conveyer chain socket links 26, to thereby operatively couple said carriages I| and conveyer chains I5 so that the movement of the latter is imparted to said carriages. The longitudinal spacing ofthe coupling socket links 26 along the conveyer chains I5 is such as to space the carriages II, and the former blocks I4 carried thereby. at a desired maximum distance of linear separation: e. g., at intervals of twelve inches.

e 'I'he secondary conveyer, similarly, comprises a` pair of laterally spaced endless conveyer chains 28,disposed in alignment, end to end. with said primary conveyer chains I5, with their rearward ends in spaced apart relation to the forward ends of the latter. Said secondary conveyer chains 28 are supported at their rearward ends to run over vertically spaced sprockets 29-29', and at their outer or` forward ends to run over idler sprockets 3|), concentric to the forward semicircular sections 9 of the track circuit bars. which sprockets are mounted on a carrying shaft 3| adjustably supported to permit regulation of the running tension of said conveyer chains 29, in manner similar to the above described support of the idler sprocket shaft |8 of the primary conveyer chains. Said sprockets 29--29' are respectively mounted on carrying shafts 32--32' which are also likewise liournaled in and between said bearing brackets 2|. lT'he means for driving said `secondary conveyer chains 28 comprises a transverse transmission shaft 33, journaled in and between said bearing brackets 2| which is also driven from said drive shaft 3 by intermeshing bevel gearing 34-34 (see Fig. 3). Fixed on said transmission shaft 33 is a drive pinion 35 which meshes with a like pinion 36 fixed on said shaft 32, whereby the latter shaft is driven to in turn drive the sprockets 29, which thus serve as drive sprockets for actuating said conveyer chains 28. Said conveyer chains 28 are provided, at suitably spaced intervals along the length thereof, with laterally offset coupling socket links 31 (see Fig. 3), the same being engageable by the coupling teeth elements 21 of the carriages II to thereby operatively couple said carriages I I and conveyer chains 28 so that the movement of' the latter is imparted to said carriages. 'I'he longitudinal spacing of the coupling socket links 31 along the conveyer chains 28 is such as to space the carriages and the former blocks |4 carried thereby, at a desired minimum distance of linear separation; e. g. at intervals of six inches.

The means for transferring the carriages I| from one conveyer to the other comprises, rotatable transfer screw cylinders 38 exteriorly offset on axes parallel to and so as to extend between the upper forwardly moving courses of the primary and secondary conveyer chains I5 and 28, and similar rotatable transfer screw cylinders 39, exteriorly offset on axes parallel to and so as to extend between the lower rearwardly moving courses of the secondary and primary conveyer chains 28 and I5. These screw cylinders 38 and 39 are cut to provide spiral splines or slots 49 of progressively varied pitch from end to end, so as to conform the movement of the carriages II, operatively engaged thereby, at one end to match the successive speed of movement of the coupling socket links at the adjacent end of one conveyer, and at the other end to match the successive speed of movement of the coupling socket links at the adjacent end of the other conveyer, whereby the transfer movement of said carriages Il is increased and decreased to properly determine their relatively spaced positions for successive coupled connection with the respective conveyers when disengaged by one and engaged by the other thereof. Each carriage II is provided, in suitably disposed position for pro- Jection from opposite sides thereof, with roller studs 4I, which, at proper times are engaged by the spiral splines or slots 48 of the transfer screw cylinders 3839, when the carriages disengage -one conveyer means so as to be moved into engagement with the other conveyer means.

Said transfer screw cylinders 38 are mounted on and driven by longitudinal shafts 42 journaled in and between upper bearing members 43 provided in connection with said bearing brackets 2 I; and said transfer screw cylinders 39 are mounted on and driven by longitudinal shafts 44 journaled in and between lower bearing members 45 also provided in connection with said bearing brackets 2| (see Figs. 2 and 3). 'I'he means for driving the upper and lower transfer screw cylinders 38 and 39 at one side of the track circuit (i. e., at the right hand side as viewed in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive) comprises a drive gear 46, which is xed on and driven by said drive shaft 3, and which drives through intermediate gears 41, the gears 48 which are respectively affixed to the shafts 42 and 44 of said screw cylinders (see Fig 4). 'I'he means for driving the upper and lower transfer screw cylinders 38 and 39 at the other side of the track circuit (i. e.. at the left hand side as viewed in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive) comprises a transverse transmission shaft 49, which is driven from said drive shaft 3 by intermeshing bevel gearing 50-58, and a vertical transmission shaft 5|, which is driven from said transverse transmission shaft 49 by intermeshing bevel gearing 52-52'. The respective shafts 42 and 44 of said transfer screw cylinders are driven from said vertical transmission shaft 5| by intermeshing bevel gearing 53--53' (see Fig. 4).

The liner feeding and forming mechanism In the herein described embodiment of the machine, which is illustrative of the features of the present invention, devices are included to supply material and to form therefrom means to line the interiors of the produced packages or cartons. To such end, a roll 54 of wax paper of suitable width is provided, together with means for automatically drawing the web thereof from the roll, feeding said web downwardly in front of an approaching former block I4 forwardly advanced by the primary conveyer means, severing from the web a liner forming length thereof to be engaged by the advancing former block, so as to be folded about the same by the action of liner forming devices, past which said former block is caused to travel by said primary conveyer means.

'I'he means for feeding the wax paper comprises, a pair of opposed feed rolls 55 transversely mounted in bearing frames 56 which are suitably carried by frame pieces 51 forming part of the machine framework. One of said feed rolls 55 is yieldably thrust toward the other by suitable means, so as to operatively grip the wax paper web passed therebetween. Said feed rolls 55 are positioned above and between the upper course portions 1 of the track circuit bars, so as to feed the wax paper downwardly across the forward path of travel of the former blocks I4 as advanced by the primary conveyer means. At the rearward end of the machine is provided a framework extension 58 which supports an upstanding frame member 59. Extending longitudinally between saidrframe pieces 51 and said frame member 59 is a longitudinal horizontally disposed frame plate 60. Suitably supported by said frame plate 60, to extend along the length thereof, is a wax paper guideway 6I. Supported adjacent to the rearward end of said guideway BI are a pair of vertically opposed idler guide rolls E2, one of which is yieldably thrust toward the other by suitable means, so that the wax paper web, passed therebetween, is operatively engaged thereby. Supported adjacent to the forward end of said guideway 6I, and above the feed rolls 55, is an idler guide roll 63 over which the wax paper web moves in passing from said guideway 6I to said feed rolls. The supply roli 54, from which the wax paper web issues, is removably supported, in outwardly offset relation to the rearward end of said guideway 6I, by suitable carrying bracket means B4. The web of wax paper is drawn from the supply ro11 54, and led to and between the guide rolls 62, to thence pass forwardly through the guideway BI and over the guide roll 63, and thence between the feed rolls 55 so as to be operatively gripped thereby.

The means for actuating the feed rolls 55 comprises a suitably supported longitudinal counter shaft 65 which is disposed along one side of the machine in the plane of the axes of said feed rolls. This counter shaft B is driven from said drive shaft 3 through a transmission shaft 66 extending therebetween. Intermeshing bevel gearing 61-61' transmit power from the drive shaft 3 to the lower end of said transmission shaft 56; and, similarly, intermeshing gearing 68-68 transmit power from the upper end of said transmission shaft 66 to said counter shaft 65. Said feed rolls are driven by similar bevel gearing (not shown) interconnected between a shaft of one of the feed rolls and said counter shaft, and said feed rolls are driven oppositely, in directions calculated to feed the interposed liner paper web downwardly therefrom, by intermeshing gears 69-69'.

Transversely mounted in the bearing frames 56, in position spaced downwardly from the feed rolls 55 and at a proper distance above the path of advancing movement of the former blocks I4 as propelled by the primary conveyer means, are opposed liner paper web serving rolls comprising, a female cutter roll and a cooperating male cutter roll 1I, between which the liner paper web is moved by the operation of said feed rolls 55. Said severing rolls are oppositely driven by intermeshing gears 12--12, which are in turn driven from the gearing 69-69 by an intermediate transmission gear 13. Arranged between the feed rolls 55 and severing rolls 1li-'II are suitably formed paper web guides 14; and, in like manner extending below said 75 severing rolls toward the path of movement of the former blocks I4 are additional paper web guides 15.

Mounted on the upper course portions 1 of the track circuit bars, immediately beyond the path of descent of the liner paper web across the path of advance of the former blocks I4. are liner folding devices. These devices comprise bottom folder plates 16 over which the advancing former blocks I4 pass, and a top folder plate 'I1 beneath which the advancing former blocks I4 pass. Arranged between said top and bottom folder plates, and adjacent to each side of the path of movement of the former blocks I4, so that the latter, in advancing, pass therebetween, are folder blocks 18 each having an upwardly inclined fold turning guideway 19 adapted to up-turn a side fold or lap of the liner paper, and a downwardly inclined fold turning guideway adapted to down-turn a side fold or lap of the liner paper.

In the operation of the liner feeding and forming mechanism, the wax paper web is fed vertically downward by the feed rolls I55, to position a predetermined length thereof in front of an advancing former block I4, so that the mid-portion thereof is engaged by the forward end of said advancing former block (see Fig. 1B and Fig. 14). As thus engaged, the wax paper vweb is thrust forward by the advancing former block, so as to contact the ends of the bottom and top folder plates 16--11 and of the folder blocks 18 opposed thereto, whereupon the severing rolls 1li-1I, by their timed rotation, operate to sever the required predetermined length of Wax paper from the main body of the web thereof, to thus provide a free liner sheet. The liner sheet is carried forward by the advancing former block I4 so as to enter between the bottom and top folder plates 16-11, and between the folder blocks 18. Contact with the bottom folder plates 16 folds back the lower end portion of the liner sheet flatly against the under face of the former block, and contact with the top folder plate 11 folds back the upper end portion of the liner sheet flatly against the upward face of said former block, while contact with the ends of the folder blocks 18 of the oppositely and laterally projecting free portions of that part o f the liner sheet, which lies contiguous to the leading end of the former block, tucks back said portions against the sides of the latter to form tuck folds a (see Fig. 15), thus leaving lower and upper side laps b and c freely projecting respectively from and in the planes of the liner sheet face portions back-folded respectively against the under and upper faces of the former block (see Fig. 15). As the former block I4 continues its advancing movement, the lower side laps b are first engaged by the fold turning guideways 19, the upwardly inclined portions of which operate to upturn said laps b againstv the sides of the former block (see Fig. 16), Whereafter the upper side laps c are engaged by the fold turning guideways 80, the downwardly inclined portions of which operate to downturn said laps c against the sides of the former block and into lap seam forming overlapping relation to the previously upturned side lap b (see Fig. 17). By the operations, thus above described, a liner is produced for the interior of a carton subsequently to be formed.

The carton blank feeding mechanism The cartons, which the machine according to this invention is designed to make up, are produced from preformed flat carton blanks 8| of suitable form. The carton blanks 8| are deposited in and automatically fed from magazine racks in timed relation to the successive movement of the former block |4, as advanced by the primary conveyer means, so as to be operatively engaged by said former blocks after the liners are formed on the latter, at least when such liners are included in the make-up of the finished package.

'I'he means for feeding the carton blanks comprises, an upstanding frame member 82 supported by transverse carrier bars '88 which form a part of the machine framework. Supported by said frame member 82, in spaced relation one to the other, are a pair of magazine racks 84-84' the same being angularly disposed in downwardly inclined convergent relation, 'so as to oppose their lower discharge ends respectively to opposite sides of an oscillatable carton blank extractor means which is operatively mounted therebetween. A supply of carton blanks is deposited in each magazine rack subject to successive withdrawal therefrom. The lower discharge end of each magazine rack is provided with suitably arranged and disposed retainer fingers 85 for normally holding the carton blanks against escape therefrom, but over which fingers a carton blank will readily spring so as to be released when operatively engaged and outwardly moved by the carton blank extractor means.

The carton blank extractor means comprises, a transverse rock-shaft 86 mounted in supportlng bearing means 86 with which the upper end of the frame member 82 is provided, whereby said rock-shaft is disposed between and somewhat above the discharge ends of the magazine racks 84-84'. Fixed on said rock-shaft 86, to depend therefrom and to be oscillated thereby for back and forth swinging movement between the discharge ends of the magazine racks 84-84', is an extractor arm 81. Said extractor arm 81 is provided, on the face thereof which is opposed to the magazine rack 84, with carton blank gripper means, preferably in the form of resilient suction cups 88 adapted to operatively grip and withdraw the lowermost carton blank from said magazine rack 84 when brought into contact therewith; and, similarly, said extractor arm 81 is provided, on the face thereof which is opposed to the magazine rack 84', with 'like carton blank gripping suction cups 88', to grip and withdraw the lowermost carton blank from said magazine rack84 when brought into contact therewith. Provided in one end portion of said rock-shaft 86 is a duct 89 which communicates with a duct 90 leading through said extractor arm into communication with the interiors of the suction cups 88; and, in like manner, the opposite end portion of said rock-shaft 86 is provided with a duct 89' which communicates with a duct 90 leading through said extractor arm into communication with the interiors of the suction cups 88 (see Fig. 2. The duct passages 89-90 and 89'-90 are respectively connected by flexible conduit means 9| and through automatic control valve means 92 with an exhaust pump (not shown), whereby suitably timed making and breaking of suction gripping effects exercised by the suction cups 88 and 88' are properly controlled. The control valve means 92 is actuated by a transverse transmission shaft 93, which is driven from said counter shaft 65 through intermeshing bevel gearing 84-84' (see Fig. 1B). The means for oscillating the rock-shaft 86, and through it the extractor arm 81 comprises, an eccentric 86 driven by said transmission shaft 83. The connecting rod 86 of said eccentric is pivotally Joined to a rocker arm 81 which is aiiixed to said rock-shaft 86.

Suitably mounted in connection with said frame member 82, to be disposed in spaced position below and in vertical alignment with the medial position' of said extractor arm 81, are carton blank feed roll sets comprising, an upper pair of opposed transverse feed rolls 88 and a lower pair of opposed transverse feed rolls 86'. One of the feed rolls of each set is yieldably thrust toward the other thereof by suitable means, so as to operatively grip a carton blank passing downwardly therebetween, and so as to feed such carton blank downwardly across the forward path of travel of the former blocks i4 as the latter leave the previously described liner forming or folding means. Said feed roll sets are actuated from said counter shaft 65 by intermeshing bevel gears 88-99 interconnected between the latter and a shaft of one of the feed rolls. The feed rolls of said sets are actuated in mutually cooperating relation from the driven roll shaft by interconnecting gearing |00 (see Fig. 2).

Arranged between the sets of feed rolls 88 and 98 are suitably formed carton blank guides |0|. Additionally, rotary carton blank guide devices |02 are disposed below the lower feed rolls 88 immediately above the path of movement of the advancing former blocks I4. Said rotary guide devices are driven by chain and sprocket transmission means |03 from the countershaft 65, and operatively engage side margins oi' a carton blank during its downward movement to a position operatively related to the path of travel of the former blocks I4, but thereafter disengage said blank so as not to obstruct initial folding movements thereof after its engagement and advance by a former block.

Suitably supported below the path of movement of the advancing former blocks is a carton blank stop |04 adapted to determine the proper placement of a delivered carton blank across the path of former block movement, and ready for engagement by an advancing former block. Means are provided for positively transferring a carton blank from the extractor arm 81 into the nip of the upper set of feed rolls 98. This transfer means comprises a vertically reciprocable push-piece |05, the spaced arms of which are slotted to embrace the rock-shaft 86 so as to ride up and down across the same. The lower extremities of vsaid arms are notched, as at |06, whereby the same may engage the upper extremity of a carton blank at spaced points across the width thereof. Said push-piece |05 is carried by a slide plate |01 vertically slidable in a guideway |08 with which the frame member 82 is provided. The means for reciprocating said slide plate |01 and the push piece |05 carried thereby comprises, a rack |08 affixed to the back of said slide plate. Operatively meshing with said rack |08 is an oscillatable quadrant gear |09 fixed on a rock-shaft 0 which is mounted on the-frame member 82. The means for actuating the rockshaft ||J comprises, an eccentric driven by the countershaft 65. The connecting rod ||2 of said eccentric is pivotally coupled to a rocker arm ||3 which is affixed to said rock-shaft ||0.

In the operation of the carton blank feeding set of feed rolls 98.

mechanism above described, the extractor arm 81, when swung to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1B, engages the lowermost carton blank contained in the magazine rack 84 so as to grip the same by its suction cups 88. Timed to coincide with operative contact of said suction cups with the carton blank, the control valve means 92 functions to connect the suction cups operatively with exhaust pump means for suction effect, whereby said carton-blank is gripped, and as the extractor arm 81 thereupon swings from left to right, said carton blank is removed from the magazine rack 84 and carried to position above and aligned with the upper set of feed rolls 98. When the removed carton blank is thus positioned above said feed rolls, the push-piece I 05, under its timed actuation, is caused to descend and engagelthe upper end of said carton blank, and, simultaneously, the control valve means 92 functions to shut off communication between said suction cups 88 and the exhaust pump means, so as to break the gripping suction effect of said cups and thus release the carton blank from the extractor arm 81. By its descending movement, the push-piece |05 exerts a downward thrust upon the released carton blank, to thereby assure both its positive removal from the extractor arm 81 as well as its propelled descent, whereby its lower end is carried into engagement by the nip of the upper Said feed rolls 98 operate to carry down the carton blank into engagement by the nip of the lower set of feed rolls 98', which, in turn, feed theb carton -blank on down, until the same comes to rest in operative position in front of an approaching former -block I4, as determined by its stopped engagement with the stop |84. In the meantime, the extractor arm 8'I continues its swinging movement from left to right until engaged with the lowermost carton blank contained in the magazine 84', so as to grip said carton blank by its suction cups 88', whereupon the swinging movement of the extractor arm 81 is reversed, and by operations corresponding to those above described, the said carton blank is carried into alignment with the feed rolls 98-98, to be fed downward thereby into position to be engaged by a succeeding former block advancing toward the same, while the previously delivered carton blank is carried on through forming or folding means to be presently described.

Since one of the objects of this invention is to provide a high speed continuous motion packaging mechanism, it will be obvious that the above described carton blank feeding means is highly advantageous in such connection by reason.` of the fact that there is no lost motion in the operation of the extractor arm 81, which, by its novel oscillatory disposition between two opposed carton blank supplies, operates to supply carton blanks alternately from said supplies in very rapid succession, without pause for recovery motions and consequently with neither waste of motion or time.

The carton forming devices The devices for folding and forming delivered carton blanks about the advancing former blocks,

I4, and over the liners formed upon the latter, when the finished carton is to include such liner, are mounted in connection with the upper course portions 1 of the track circuit bars, immediately beyond the path of descent of the carton blanks across the path of advance of the former blocks I4. 'I'hese devices comprise bottom folder plates I|4 over` which the advancing former blocks pass,

and a top folder plate ||5 beneath which said advancing former blocks pass. Arranged to border each side of the path of movement of the former blocks |4, so that the latter, in advancing pass therebetween, are folder devices I 6, formed to provide an upwardly inclined folder guideway II'I, adapted to up-turn ,a side lap of an en gaged carton blank, `and therebeyond a downlwardly inclined folder guideway ||8, adapted to down-turn a side lap of an engaged carton blank.

Supported in positions intermediate said folder guideways ||1 and IIli,` on each side of the track circuit, are devices for applying glue to certain of the carton blank side laps. These glue applying devices comprise suitably designed glue reservoirs ||9, respectively` mounted on opposite upper course portions 'I of the track circuit bars. Said glue reservoirs are so shaped that the former block carriages may pass beneath the same, while the former blocks per se pass between the same. Connected with each glue reservoir is a bearing member |20 in which is mounted a shaft |2| for rotating a glue applicator wheel |22. The glue applicator wheels dip their lower sides into the liquid glue content with which the reservoirs are supplied, while the upper sides thereof are positioned to engage carton blank side laps, asv carried into Contact therewith by an advancing former block, to thereby coat such laps with an application of glue for adhering upturned and down-turned side laps together to form side closure seams of a formed carton body. The means for transmitting power to the shafts |2| to rotate the glue applicator wheels |22 (see Fig. 5), comprises, a transverse transmission shaft |23 which is journaled in and between bearing hangers |24 dependent from a suitably supported bridge bar |25. Said shaft |23 is driven from the shaft 93 by a chain and sprocket transmission |26. Journaled in and between the lower ends of said bearing hangers |24 and similar additional and suitably supported bearing hangers |21 outwardly spaced therefrom are driver shafts |28. spectively aligned with the respective glue applicator wheel shafts |2I, and the latter are detachably coupled therewith by cooperating clutch elements |29', with which their adjoining ends are respectively provided. Said drive shafts |28 are each driven from said transmission shaft |23 by intermeshing gears ISU-|30' with which they are respectively provided.

In the operation of the carton forming means,4

the carton blank 8|, fed vertically downward in front-of an advancing former block I4 carrying a liner previously formed on and about the same, is engaged at its midportion by the `forward end 0f the latter (see Fig. 1B and Fig. 17). As thus engaged, the blank is thrust forward by the advancing former block so as to contact the ends of the bottom and top folder plates I|4-||5 and of the folder devices ||6 opposed thereto. Contact with the bottom folder plates II4 folds back the lower section of the carton blank fiatly against the under face of the former block, and contact with the top folder plate ||5 folds back the upper section of said blank atly against the upper face of said former block, while contact with the ends of the folder devices ||6 of end wings d, with which the blank is provided, folds back these end wings flatly against the sides of said former block, thus leaving lower and upper side laps e and ,f freely projecting respectively from and in the planes of the back folded lower and upper face sections of the blank These driver shafts are re- (see Fig. 18). As the former block I4 continues its advancing movement, the lower side laps e are first engaged by-the upwardly inclined folder guideways ||1 of the folder devices IIB, whereby the same are upturned against the sides of the former block I4 (see Fig. 19). l

In the meantime, the former block I4 having picked up the carton blank and started the same through the forming devices, the carriage by which it is carried comes to\ the end of the forwardly propelling course of the primary conveyer means so that the latter disengages the same, whereupon the upper transfer screw cylinders 38 engage said carriage so as to carry the same onward with an accelerated movement, until it is engaged by and operatively coupled with the secondary conveyer means in shortened spaced relation to a preceding carriage, whereupon said secondary conveyer means takes over the work of continuing the movement of the carriage and former block carried thereby.

After the side laps e have been up-folded against the former block sides, the continued advance of the former block carries the still projecting side laps f to and over the rotated glue applicator wheels |22, whereby the latter apply i an application of glue to the undersides of said side laps f.

After receiving the applications of glue, and under the forward advance thereof by the traveling former block, said side laps f are carried into engagement with the downwardly inclined folder guideways I8 of the folder devices H6, whereby said side laps f are downturned against the sides of the former block with their glue coated faces disposed in overlapping side closure seam forming relation to the previously upturned side laps e (see Fig. 20); thus forming an open mouthed carton body, within and lining the interior of which is disposed the liner initially formed on and about the former block.

The liner and carton body setting and sealing means Beyond the carton forming devices, and borderingopposite sides of the path of travel of the former blocks, as propelled by the upper forwardly moving course of the secondary conveyer means, are located devices for applying heat and pressure to the sides of the formed carton bodies carried by said former blocks. These devices serve to dry and set the glue by which the side closure seams of the carton bodies are secured, as well as to transmit heat to the lapped side portions of the liner within the carton body, whereby the wax content of the liner is fused to adhere said lapped side portions together in substantially air tight seam forming relation, while at the same time aii'ixing the liner to the carton body side walls by adhesion of fused wax.

The devices serving these purposes comprise a series of longitudinally successive heater blocks |3I, the number of which is optional, but which is so selected as to provide sufficient group lengths thereof as is calculated to maintain the heat and pressure application to the carton bodies, moved along and engaged thereby, for a time period adequate to permit effective penetration of heat through the carton body walls to the interior wax paper liner, so as to assure desired fusing of the wax content of the latter,

A longitudinal row of said heater blocks I3| a passing former block I4, subject to independent inwardly pressing, yieldable movement toward the same. To this end, carrier brackets |32 are aillxed to and project inwardly from said upper course sections 1 of the track circuit bars, so as to underlie and support the end portions of said heater blocks. Afllxed to said carrier brackets |32 are upstanding stop posts |33 which are straddled by the bifurcate extremities |34 with which the end portions of said heater blocks |3| are provided, and whereby lateral bodily movements of said heater blocks are limited. Pivotally mounted on said carrier brackets |32, outwardly of and to respectively cooperate with the respective heater blocks, are bell-crank levers |35. Each heater block is provided intermediate its ends with a tail-piece |36 projecting outwardly from its rear side. One arm of each bell-crank lever |35 is pivotally coupled with the tail-piece of a corresponding heater block, while to the other arm thereof is connected an anchored pull spring |31, which operates to swing the bell-crank lever so as to yieldably press the heater block served thereby toward the passing former blocks |4 and the lined carton bodies carried thereon.

Each heater block |3| is provi-ded with an internally mounted electrical heater unit (not shown), to which energizing current is served, through attached conducting means |38, from any suitable source and in any suitably controlled manner, as is already familiar to the art.

It is desirable to provide means for retracting the heater blocks |3| from normal operative p0- sitions at will, so as to give unimpeded access to the former blocks I4 and carton bodies disposed therebetween when occasion requires, and so as to remove the heater blocks from contact with the carton formations when the machine is stopped, thus avoiding applying heat thereto under such circumstances. An illustrative means serving this purpose, and which is operative to act simultaneously on all heater blocks, is shown (see Figs. 8 and 9), and comprises draw bars |39 respectively serving each group of heater blocks. The draw bars |39 are operatively connected, by pin and slot coupling connections |40, to and between the outer arms of the bell-crank levers |35. The means for actuating said draw bars comprises a transverse actuating shaft |4| journaled in and between bearings |42 supported from the track circuit bars. Fixed on said actuating shaft |4| are cams |43 to respectively cooperate with the respective draw bars, the latter having thrust members |44 to embrace and cooperate with said cams. Aiiixed upon an end of said actuating shaft I4| is a hand crank lever |45 for manually operating the shaft, and cooperative with said crank lever |45` is a stationary stop plate |46 with which the crank lever may be selectively interlocked by suitable means, to hold the mechanism in heater block retracting or releasing position as desired. When the hand crank lever |45 is swung to the right (as viewed in Fig. 8), the shaft and its cams are turned to shift the draw bars |39 forward to thereby release the bell-crank levers |35, subject to the influence of the pull springs |31, whereby the same may swing the heater blocks |3| to operative positions. When the heater blocks are thus released for operative effect, the pin and slot connections |40 between the draw bars and the arms of the bellcrank levers permit sufficient play to admit of the desired inwardly thrust yieldable movement of the heater blocks relative to the passing former blocks and carton bodies carried thereby. When the hand crank lever |45 is swung to the left, the shaft and its cams are turned to shift the draw bars rearwardly, thereby turning said bellcrank levers |35 against the tension of the pull springs |31, and so as to effect an outward retracting pull upon the heater blocks |31, whereby the same are withdrawn from operative relation to the former blocks |4 and carton bodies carried thereby.

After the former blocks I4 emerge from engagement with the heater blocks |3|, the chains of the secondary conveyer means pass over the outer idler sprockets 30, whereupon the former blocks |4 and carton bodies carried thereon are caused to move along with the lower rearwardly moving or return course of said secondary con veyer means. If desired, devices may be provided along this return path of movement for cooling the carton bodies and chilling the contained wax paper lining to thoroughly set or again solidify the previously fused wax.

The devices serving such purpose comprise a series of longitudinally successive cooler blocks |41, the number of which is optional, but which is so selected as to assure such period of contact of the moving carton bodies therewith as will obtainv sufficient cooling effect.

Longitudinal rows of said cooler blocks |41 are supported from longitudinal carrier rails |48, suitably mounted in connection with the machine framework (see Figs. 1A, 9 and 10) to border opposite sides of the path of travel of the former blocks I4, as propelled by the lower return course of the secondary conveyer means. Each cooler block is provided with an internal chamber |49 (see Fig. 9 wherein such chamber is indicated by broken lines in connection with one of the cooler blocks shown therein). A cold fluid, such e. g., as cold water, is circulated, by suitable means and from a suitable supply source (not shown), through the chamber of each cooler block; the same being delivered through input conduits |550 and discharged through output conduits |5| with which each cooler block is provided. Each cooler block |41 is mounted to lie parallel to the adjacent side of a passing former block 4, subject to independent inwardly pressing, yieldable movement toward the same. To this end carrier brackets |52 are affixed to and project inwardly from said carrier rails |48, so as to underlie and support the end portions of the cooler blocks. Afiixed to said carrier brackets |52 are upstanding stop posts |53 which are straddled by the bifurcate extremities |54 with which the end portions of said cooler blocks are provided, and whereby lateral bodily movements of said cooler blocks are limited. Pivotally mounted on said carrier brackets |52, to cooperate with each cooler block, are spring actuated bell-crank levers |55, by means of which said cooler blocks are urged to yieldably press toward and in contact with the passing former blocks |4 and lined carton bodies carried thereon; all in a manner similar to that already above described in connection with the heater blocks |3|. Although not shown, it will be obvious that, if desired, means similar to that used to retract the heater blocks |3| from operative positions, may be likewise employed to ef-A fect a like retraction of the cooler blocks. The use of such retracting means in connection with the cooler blocks is entirely optional, and in many cases would not be necessary.

It will also be understood that, in many cases, the use of the cooler block system itself may be dispensed with. and mere radiation of heat l ployed to form simple carton bodies without internal liners, or lined carton bodies wherein sealing of the liner seams is not desired or required.

Means for stripping the formed carton bodies from the former blocks After passing through the cooling means above described, the former blocks |4 and carton bodies carried thereby reach the terminus of the return course of the secondary conveyer means, and are thereupon transferred to the return course of the primary conveyer means. As the carriages are disengaged by the secondary conveyer means, the same are operatively engaged by the lower transfer screw` cylinders 39, whereby they are carried onward with retarded movement until the same are engaged and again operatively coupled with the primary conveyer means in lengthened spaced relation, whereupon their former blocks are subjected to the action of means operative for stripping oft therefrom the formed carton bodies for ultimate delivery to means for inserting thereinto the articles or other content desired to be enclosed therein.

The means for stripping the formed carton bodies from the former blocks is situated to underlie and extend beyond the end of the return course of said primary conveyer means, where the same runs around the idler sprockets |1 to resume its forwardly extending course (see Figs. 1B, 6 and 7). The stripper means comprises, laterally spaced endless stripper chains |56 arranged to run over and between actuating sprockets |51 and |51', the shafts of which are suitably journaled in bearing supports mounted on the machine framework. The upper, rearwardly moving courses of said stripper chains respectively run parallel to the opposite sides of the path of movement of the former blocks I4 as moved by the return course of the primary conveyer. Ailixed to the inner sides of said respective stripper chains, at suitably spaced intervals along the lengths thereof, and so as to project toward the sides of passing former blocks |4 moving between said chains, are stripper members |58. These stripper members |58 are provided with one or more stripper fingers |59 extending laterally therefrom. Each former block 4 is provided in and along its respective sides with one or more open ended channels or grooves |60 countersunk in the surface thereof, and into and through which said stripper fingers may pass to travel from end to end of the former block. Said stripper chains |56 are driven at a linear speed which is greater than that of the linear speed of the former blocks as propelled by the primary conveyer means, and as a consequence, the stripper members |58 are operated to overtake a passing former block- |4 from the rear, and thereupon enter its stripperngers |59 in the channels or grooves |60 of said former block and then rapidly move the same therealong just prior to time the former block is carried upwardly for return to its forwardly moving course through 

